- Harim ibn Ḥayyān al-ʿAbdī, the Basran.
It is also said that he was al-Azdī, likewise a Basran, and he ranked among the devoted worshippers.
He narrated from ʿUmar, and al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī and others transmitted from him.
He commanded certain campaigns in the days of ʿUmar and ʿUthmān in the regions of Persia.
Ibn Saʿd (1) said: “He served as an official for ʿUmar; he was trustworthy, meritorious, and devoted to worship.”
It was said that he was named Harim because he remained in the womb for two full years until his teeth had appeared.
Abū al-Qāsim Ibn ʿAsākir said: “Harim came to Damascus in search of Uways al-Qaranī.”
Saʿdawayh, on the authority of Yūsuf ibn ʿAṭiyyah, reported: al-Muʿallā ibn Ziyād told us:
“Harim would go out in the middle of the night and cry at the top of his voice, ‘I marvel at Paradise—how can its seeker sleep? I marvel at the Fire—how can the one fleeing from it sleep?’ He would then recite, ‘Can the people of the towns feel secure that Our punishment will not come upon them by night …’ (2) [al-Aʿrāf 7:97].”
Sulaymān ibn al-Mughīrah related: Ḥumayd ibn Hilāl said:
“It was said to Harim ibn Ḥayyān al-ʿAbdī, ‘Make us a bequest.’ He replied, ‘My soul has already spoken truthfully to me, and I possess nothing to leave behind; yet I counsel you to the closing verses of Sūrat al-Naḥl.’”
Hishām—on the authority of al-Ḥasan, from Harim—reported that he was told, “Advise us.” He said, “I advise you to the closing verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah.”
Ḥammād ibn Salamah, through Abū ʿImrān al-Jawnī, reported:
“On a bright moonlit night Harim ibn Ḥayyān looked down and saw his watchman playing about, while Harim was serving as an official for ʿUmar.”